Eaglets, Eastern Europe and Learning to Fly

What Mother Nature can teach us about launching

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Jackie and Shadow, a pair of bald eagles in Big Bear Valley, California, have been trying to start a family for the last three years. They finally had success this spring and stoically took turns sitting on their three eggs high up in the branches through wind, rain, sleet and snow until the eggs hatched in early March.

A live camera managed by Friends of Big Bear Valley captured all of their family milestones. Thousands of viewers have tuned in daily (I’m obsessed!) to witness their progress, help name the eaglets, and will them to overcome odds to survive. Two of the three eggs successfully hatched so mom and dad got to work helping them grow.

According to their webcam, three months in, about a week after big sister, Sunny, took her first flight, little brother, Gizmo, gave it a go as well. Perhaps the first flight was more of a stumble than a leap. While Sunny was preparing herself out on the edge of a branch by flapping her wings, her foot slipped and she stepped off the “balcony” of the nest. Oh no! She was off into the world perhaps earlier than she planned. But not to worry, the first flight was successful and much to the experts delight, she returned to the nest.

A few days later, Gizmo worked up the courage to give it a go as well. Experts have been delighted to see that they both keep returning to the nest and mom and dad keep bringing fish for dinner to share. They believe another couple weeks and they will be depart for good, each off on their own adventures of a lifetime. Isn’t Mother Nature amazing?

This past month, I’ve watched all three of my “eaglets” take leaps out of the nest. Some off on fun life adventures while the third is honoring his commitment and passion to his college sport. As I have been reflecting on their “launching”, it made me think of my own and how my parents handled it.

My two sisters and I all ended up in Budapest, Hungary, in the early 1990’s. Living, working, traveling and exploring. No internet or location services to track our arrivals in and out of foreign countries. No credit cards, no cell phones, or even traveller’s cheques were given on our departure. My parents were excited that we were heading off to have our own adventures, “Don’t forget to write home occasionally,” were the parting words I recall hearing.

My twin sister and I ended finding the cheapest apartment we could in Budapest, which ended up being in the Red Light district. Never once did our parents fly over to check out where we were living or make sure we had enough money. I guess they just trusted we would figure it out (eventually).

And looking back on it now, 35 years later, of course the biggest memories are of when things went sideways. While traveling in southern Turkey with a college friend during the Christmas holidays, she misplaced her passport, and we stayed up all night trying to figure out how we would get OUT of Turkey. “Did you check inside your shoe?” I eventually asked her. She rolled her eyes as if that was the most inane suggestion she had ever heard. But later, in complete exasperation, plunged her hand into the front of her shoe and SCORE! We danced around the hostel we were staying in, screaming and laughing as if we won the lottery. Well, we kinda had.

Or the time I was surrounded by gypsies on a train in Budapest and they all collided into me when the train stopped so they could pick my pockets. As the one hand plunged into my pocket, I grabbed it and using all of my height, threw my shoulders back, stood tall, and screamed in his face, “Back off!” Probably not the smartest move, but hey, I was only 23.

Or once will traveling with a friend, we realized we couldn’t afford the hostel, so slept on a park bench with our backpacks wedged under us, hoping someone wouldn’t come along and steal them during our slumber. Not so clever, either. But, like Jackie and Shadow, allowing Sunny to fall out of the nest so she’d learn to flap her own wings, I’m guessing that was part of my parents master plan as well.

If your kids are still at home this summer, I encourage you to challenge yourself, and them. Find ways to carve out more independence.

Last weekend, I spoke to a group of mothers and daughters at a National Charity League (NCL) Chapter meeting. I shared the bald eagle story encouraged them to do the same.

Find something a little scary for both of you and allow them to give it a go. One mom came up to me after and said she recalled her mother letting her and friend drive cross country, just the two of them. Yet admitted, she was reticent to let her own kids go to the beach alone. She laughed as she mentioned, “My girlfriend and I at one point had to stop in a small town and donate some blood. We’d run out of money, so we figured that was an easy way as any to refill our wallets!”

So, with two of our three off on adventures out of the country. Do I worry? Sure, of course, that’s a parent’s never ending role. But I have to remind myself, I somehow managed to survive, they will too.

We’ve brought them the fish for long enough. They are ready to soar and search for adventure alone.

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🎧 Are you new here? Let’s get you caught up on Raising Athletes! 🎧

This summer, we’re is re-releasing some of KJ’s Favorite Episodes

Each week, we’ll spotlight a standout episode that continues to resonate

🔥 Tune in, reflect, and get inspired. Let’s raise athletes and leaders—with purpose.

Episodes drop every Monday all summer long.

Don’t miss them! 💪 #RaisingAthletesRewind

First up….

Thank you for being here. Please feel free to drop me a line. Share your summer challenge for yourself (and your athletes)

xxx

Kir